Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer

THE NCB Capital Markets Limited-sponsored High Goal Challenge Polo tournament takes place at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates next Thursday and Sunday with the best players in the island on show.

Details were outlined by Debra Lopez, vice-president Wealth and Management Division NCB Capital Markets and Mitta Rousseau, head of the organising committee at a press conference on Thursday at the Atrium, Trafalgar Road.

The tournament, a high handicap of 15 goals, kicks off on Thursday, April 28 at the Kingston Polo Club with two semi-final matches between the four participating teams, the first match at at 3:30 p.m. and the second one hour later.

The first semi-final pits the Yellow team comprising Mark Wates (captain), Ricky Wates, Mitta Rousseau and the visiting Argentinean professional Jorge Donovan (a six-goal handicapper) against the White team which includes Troy Brennan (captain), Paul Lalor, Andy Vernon and visiting Canadian pro Daniel Roenisch from Calgary.

Donovan, who hails from Buenos Aires, is no stranger to Jamaica, having played here on a number of occasions.

In the second semi-final, the Blue team comprising Shane Chin (captain), his brother Kurt Chin, along with the island's top female player Lesley Fong-Yee and visiting pro Argentinean Carlos Pando, will take on the Green team comprising John G. Byles (captain), Alexander Melville, Mark Melville and visiting Argentinean pro Tomas Lalor who is the highest handicap player (seven goals) in the tournament.

The winners will meet in the NCB Capital Markets High Goal final (four chukka play) on Sunday, May 1 at Kingston Polo Club, starting at 12.05 p.m.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Prior to the final, the losing semi-finalists will meet in the Consolation final scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. Other activities on the Sunday are the NCB Capital Markets Penalty Shoot Out at 11:50 a.m. for contestants considered young in the the sport, the Go West Fashion Show at 11:30 a.m., Awards ceremony at 1:15 p.m., followed by lunch and a party.

In a short address, Lopez said: "Polo is a wonderful sport and there are few athletes who can boast the combination of grace, speed and fearlessness. We at NCB Capital Markets are therefore very excited to have been given the opportunity to be part of this incredible sport."

Rousseau explained that it costs in excess of $500,000 to host this tournament and he was grateful to the sponsors for their assistance. The tournament (formerly the Pro-Am) was sponsored by ICWI up to last year.

Among those present were Juan Humberto, the official umpire who has also had playing experience.